Jacqueline Whitmore, the wireless phone etiquette spokeswoman for Sprint and the person who founded Cell Phone Courtesy Month in 2002, offers some tips for practicing cell phone courtesy. You can learn more on her Web site, www.etiquetteexpert.com.

Kristi Hodson

July is Cell Phone Courtesy month.

Jacqueline Whitmore, the wireless phone etiquette spokeswoman for Sprint and the person who founded Cell Phone Courtesy Month in 2002, offers some tips for practicing cell phone courtesy. You can learn more on her Web site, www.etiquetteexpert.com.

Be all there When you're in a meeting, performance, courtroom or other busy area, let calls go to voicemail to avoid a disruption. In some instances, turning your phone off may be the best solution.

Keep it private Be aware of your surroundings and avoid discussing private or confidential information in public. You never know who may be in hearing range.

Keep your cool Don't display anger during a public call. Conversations that are likely to be emotional should be held where they will not embarrass or intrude on others.

Learn to vibe Use your wireless phone's silent or vibration settings in public places such as business meetings, religious services, schools, restaurants, theaters or sporting events so that you do not disrupt your surroundings.

Avoid "cell yell" Remember to use your regular conversational tone when speaking on your wireless phone. People tend to speak more loudly than normal and often don't recognize how distracting they can be to others.

Follow the rules Some places, such as hospitals or airplanes, restrict or prohibit the use of mobile phones, so adhere to posted signs and instructions

Excuse yourself If you are expecting a call that can't be postponed, alert your companions ahead of time and excuse yourself when the call comes in; the people you are with should take precedence over calls you want to make or receive.

Send a message Use Text Messaging to send and receive messages without saying a single word.

Watch and listen discreetly New multimedia applications such as streaming video and music are great ways to stay informed and access the latest entertainment. However, adjust the volume based on your surroundings in much the same way that you would adjust your ringer volume. Earphones are a great way to avoid distracting others in public areas.

Alert silently When using your phone's walkie-talkie feature, send the person you're trying to reach a Call Alert before starting to speak. If you're around other people, turn off your phone's external speaker and use the vibration setting to minimize any disturbance and to respect your contact's privacy.

Be a good Samaritan Use your cell phone to help others. According to CTIA, The Wireless Association, more than 224,000 calls a day are made to 911 and other emergency numbers by mobile phone users who report crimes and potentially life-threatening emergencies.

Focus on driving Practice wireless responsibility while driving. Don't make or answer calls while in heavy traffic or in hazardous driving conditions. Place calls when your vehicle is not moving, and use a hands-free device to help focus attention on safety. Always make safety your most important call.

Spread the word Discuss cell phone manners with friends and family members. Tell them that you are practicing new wireless phone etiquette rules and offer to share them (www.sprint.com/etiquette).

Kristi Hodson writes for the Carthage (Mo.) Press.

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